Baojiao County.

Today, the common people and the Jianghu guild members within the city were in distinctly different states of mind.

The commoners only knew that the Imperial Court had sent an imperial envoy to Baojiao County. This envoy was rumored to be implementing some kind of reform on land acreage and taxes. However, as for the specifics...

The illiterate common folk were subconsciously somewhat resistant.

This is the nature of the common people. After becoming accustomed to certain rules, they only want to guard their small plots of land and live tranquil lives. They feared disturbances, as any change often signified a disruption to their peaceful days. Has it not been so in every dynasty? Perhaps the officials above indeed had good intentions. However, once matters were delegated to the rural areas, those corrupt bureaucrats would invariably find ways to abuse their authority, devising ever-new schemes to oppress the common people and exploit the new laws for personal gain.

The ordinary people and merchants held highly complex views regarding this 'Tan Qingtian', to say the least.

Meanwhile, within the Jianghu guilds of Baojiao County, the atmosphere was different.

Word was that Grandmaster Jin Chui himself would accompany Lord Tan Chongrui into Baojiao County today.

As the foremost figure of the White Path in Qiu Dragon Mansion and the President overseeing all thirty-six Martial Associations, Master Qin Yu's world-surpassing Martial Arts were legendary. Throughout the entire Qiu Dragon Mansion, those capable of withstanding his dual Threshing Drum Pot Golden Hammers could be counted on one hand.

Beyond his martial prowess, his venerable status alone was enough to command respect. He had unified the disparate and often feuding Martial Associations, quelling countless conflicts within the Jianghu and mediating disputes among hundreds of Martial Forest factions. Anyone who spoke of this Second Master Qin couldn't help but offer a thumbs-up in admiration.

Today, it was heard that Tan Qingtian was being hosted by the Magistrate's Office and had taken up lodging at the official post station.

Meanwhile, Grandmaster Qin, so revered and admired by Martial Artists throughout the prefecture, had no sooner arrived than he received a joint invitation from the leading figures of Baojiao County's major guilds—especially powerhouses from Medicine King Hall, the Fish and Dragon Association, and Firewood Iron Shop. They implored him to grace a gathering at Hongyan Tower with his presence.

Chen Ku hadn't left Medicine King Hall for nearly a month.

Today, however, he had seized this opportunity to accompany Yang Luochen and several Shopkeepers to Hongyan Tower. Kou Ming was also with them.

Upon stepping inside behind his master, Chen Ku immediately spotted the old Shopkeeper of Firewood Iron Shop, Xie Wenyuan—Xie Qingfeng's father—seated on a Taishi Chair.

He was said to be the only veteran master in Firewood Iron Shop's ninety-year history to have cultivated the Divine Skill, Iron Cloth Shirt, to the Perfection Realm—truly one of a kind.

Several other notable figures from Baojiao County were also present.

Chen Ku recognized a few of them by their faces and attire.

That's Huang Muxia, an old acquaintance, ranked eighth among the city's top masters.

And Gao Ruohai, 'Long Spear' from Heyuan Escort Agency, ranked tenth in the city.

Not long ago, Chen Ku had met his son, Gao Lin, during a discussion at the riverside.

Could that broad-shouldered man with the slightly reddish beard and hair be Sun Haichuan, the 'Red-Beard Dragon,' ranked seventh?

Chen Ku mentally cataloged the Baojiao County masters in attendance.

Ordinarily, it was rare to see even one of them. Yet today, more than half had gathered.

"HAHAHA! Elder Xie, I never expected you, esteemed elder, to grace us with your presence! This is indeed a rare occasion. If I recall correctly, the last time I saw you was five years ago, wasn't it?"

As the Store Manager of Medicine King Hall, Qin Sifan spoke with a hearty and amiable tone. He took the initiative to step forward, bowing slightly with clasped hands to greet Xie Wenyuan. He showed no sign of the awkwardness stemming from the recent incident where four geniuses from Firewood Iron Shop had been killed by disciples of his hall.

Witnessing this, Chen Ku couldn't help but admire the Store Manager's remarkable social grace. It's no wonder he's the Store Manager!

"HEHE..." Elder Xie, the old Shopkeeper of Firewood Iron Shop, did not rise in response to Store Manager Qin Sifan's clasped-hand greeting. He merely chuckled dryly a few times, then picked up the teacup beside him. Idly stirring the tea leaves with the lid, he said, "The Dragon Boat Festival, five years ago. That was the day Official Shangguan assumed his post in Baojiao County."

"Indeed. Since that Dragon Boat Festival, Elder Xie, you've lived in seclusion, entrusting all shop matters to Brother Xie..." Shopkeeper Qin turned his gaze to the Taishi Chair beside Xie Wenyuan. Seated there was Thirteen Young Master Xie Qingfeng, a man of twenty-eight or twenty-nine with an air as gentle and refined as jade. Shopkeeper Qin continued, "And Brother Xie has certainly lived up to his reputation as Baojiao County's foremost young talent. In just five years, he has managed everything impeccably. A young hero indeed, he has even surpassed many established seniors in the city in terms of Martial Arts."

"Shopkeeper Qin, you overpraise me," Xie Qingfeng said lightly. "Qingfeng has merely managed to maintain our family's business under the guidance and care of you seniors."

"Thirteen Young Master, you are far too modest," Shopkeeper Qin replied with a smile. "To be ranked fourth among the city's top ten masters at the age of twenty-eight shows extraordinary talent and ability. You should be developing your potential in Qiu Dragon Mansion. Our Baojiao County is too small; for someone like Thirteen Young Master, it might even be a hindrance."

"HEHEHE... Qingfeng's bit of Martial Talent might have been commendable in the past, but it's not so remarkable anymore," Elder Xie Wenyuan said, slowly taking a sip of tea. "After all, I hear that Chen Ku, a disciple Medicine King Hall recruited this past year, has only been an entry-level disciple for half a year. Yet, he has already become the foremost figure among the city's younger generation. He killed three geniuses from the Fish and Dragon Association with a single staff strike, and even four of our Firewood Iron Shop's most promising youths died by his blade. Such Martial Talent and strength are far more terrifying than Qingfeng possessed in his youth."

Chen Ku had been mentally recalling the history of this old Shopkeeper of Firewood Iron Shop. It was said that he had started from scratch, building such a vast family enterprise in Baojiao County. In his youth, his Martial Arts prowess was even said to have rivaled that of Chen Ku's own master, Yang Luochen.

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